Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Alabama
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Alabama earn a median of $52,850 a year ($25.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,110 for the top 10%. That is 66% lower than the national median of $153,990. Alabama ranks 39th of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.27 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| 25th percentile | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Median | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| 75th percentile | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,110 | $52.94 |
| Average (mean) | $66,740 | $32.09 |
Half of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,404.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,202.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,032.69 |
| Weekly | $1,016.35 |
| Hourly | $25.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $57,260 | 140 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $57,220 | 30 |
| Mobile, AL | $57,160 | 30 |
| Montgomery, AL | $56,630 | 40 |
| Dothan, AL | $48,930 | 30 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $46,930 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $239,760 |
| Massachusetts | $221,710 |
| Connecticut | $217,760 |
| New York | $216,390 |
| Hawaii | $211,810 |
| Tennessee | $208,350 |
| Nebraska | $208,180 |
| New Mexico | $205,400 |
| New Jersey | $204,160 |
| Colorado | $198,790 |
See Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $131,970 | $63.45 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $134,810 | $64.81 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $61,330 | $29.49 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Alabama?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Alabama is $52,850 a year, or $25.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Alabama?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Alabama earn at least $110,110 a year. The top 25% earn $77,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,420 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $41,660 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Alabama?
About 560 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.